Food Safety for People with Diabetes

Food safety is important for people living with diabetes. Diabetes can affect various organs and systems of the body, causing them not to function properly, and making a person more susceptible to infection and food illness.

About Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.

Food Safety TrainingFood Safety Training - SALE 10% OFF
  • Learn about foodborne pathogens, cross contamination, cold and hot food safety, and best practices to prevent foodborne illness.
  • Food Manager ANSI Certification: $99.00 - Valid in all States
  • Food Handler Training: Only $7.00!
  • 10% OFF: Enter Promo Code "train10off" at Checkout

One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans.

How Diabetes Affects the Body

Diabetes affects the body in various ways:

  • Immune system – With diabetes, the immune system may not readily recognize harmful bacteria or other pathogens. These affects leave diabetes patients more prone to infectious disease, such as foodborne illness. A diabetic patient’s immune system may not immediately recognize harmful foodborne pathogens increasing a person’s risk for infection.
  • Stomach and Intestinal Tract – Diabetes may damage the cells that create stomach acid and the nerves that help your stomach and intestinal tract move the food throughout the intestinal tract. Because of this damage, your stomach may hold on to the food and beverages you consume for a longer period of time, allowing harmful bacteria and other pathogens to grow.
  • Kidneys – Diabetes may damage kidneys, which work to cleanse the body and may not be functioning properly and may hold on to harmful bacteria, toxins, and other pathogens.

As a consequence, having diabetes may leave one more susceptible to developing infections and are more likely to have a lengthier illness, undergo hospitalization, or even die.
To avoid contracting a foodborne illness, people with diabetes must be vigilant when handling, preparing, and consuming foods.

Make Wise Food Choices

A healthy diabetes diet looks pretty much like a healthy diet for anyone: lots of fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and lean protein; less salt, sugar, and foods high in refined carbs (cookies, crackers, and soda, just to name a few). Your individual carb goal is based on your age, activity level, and any medicines you take.

However, some foods are more risky for people with diabetes than others.  In general, the foods that are most likely to contain harmful bacteria or viruses fall in two categories:

  • Uncooked fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Some animal products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk; soft cheeses made with raw milk; and raw or undercooked eggs, raw meat, raw poultry, raw fish, raw shellfish and their juices; luncheon meats and deli-type salads (without added preservatives) prepared on site in a deli-type establishment.

The risk these foods may also depend on the origin or source of the food and how the food is processed, stored, and prepared.  Follow these guidelines (see chart below) for safe selection and preparation of your favorite foods.

Common Foods:  Select the Lower Risk Options

Type of Food Higher Risk Lower Risk
Meat and Poultry
  • Raw or undercooked meat or poultry
Meat or poultry cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature:

  • Beef, Pork, Veal, Lamb, Steaks, Roasts & Chops – 145 ºF with 3-minute rest time
  • Ground – Beef, Pork, Veal, Lamb – 160 ºF
  • Turkey, Chicken & Duck – Whole, Pieces, & Ground
    165 ºF
Tip:  Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Seafood
  • Any raw or undercooked fish, or shellfish, or food containing raw or undercooked seafood  e.g., sashimi, found in some sushi or ceviche. Refrigerated smoked fish
  • Partially cooked seafood, such as shrimp and crab
  • Previously cooked seafood heated to 165 °F
  • Canned fish and seafood
  • Seafood cooked to 145 °F
Milk
  • Unpasteurized (raw) milk
  • Pasteurized milk
Eggs Foods that contain raw/undercooked eggs, such as:

  • Homemade Caesar salad dressings*
  • Homemade raw cookie dough*
  • Homemade eggnog*
At home:

  • Use pasteurized eggs/egg products when preparing recipes that call for raw or undercooked eggs
  • Egg Dishes – 160 ºF

When eating out:

  • Ask if pasteurized eggs were used
*Tip: Most pre-made foods from grocery stores, such as Caesar dressing, pre-made cookie dough, or packaged eggnog are made with pasteurized eggs.
Sprouts
  • Raw sprouts (alfalfa, bean, or any other sprout)
  • Cooked sprouts
Vegetables
  • Unwashed fresh vegetables, including lettuce/salads
  • Washed fresh vegetables, including salads
  • Cooked vegetables
Cheese
  • Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized (raw) milk, such as: -Feta

-Brie
-Camembert
-Blue-veined
-Queso fresco

  • Hard cheeses
  • Processed cheeses
  • Cream cheese
  • Mozzarella
  • Soft cheeses that are clearly labeled “made from pasteurized milk”
Hot Dogs and Deli Meats
  • Hot dogs, deli and luncheon meats that have not been reheated
  • Hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats reheated to steaming hot or 165 ºF
Tip:  You need to reheat hot dogs, deli meats and luncheon meats before eating them because the bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes grows at refrigerated temperatures (40 ºF or below). This bacteria may cause severe illness, hospitalization, or even death. Reheating these foods until they are steaming hot destroys these dangerous bacteria and makes these foods safe for you to eat.
Pâtés
  • Unpasteurized, refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads
  • Canned or shelf-stable pâtés or meat spreads

Food Safety Steps

Learn about safety tips for those at increased risk of foodborne illness. Those living with diabetes should always follow the four food safety steps:

food_safety_clean_separate_cook_chillImage Source: Shutterstock
  • Clean – Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, utensils, counter tops, and food. To ensure that your hands and surfaces are clean.
  • Separate – Cross-contamination occurs when bacteria are spread from one food product to another.  To prevent cross-contamination, separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods in your grocery shopping cart, grocery bags, and in your refrigerator.
  • Cook – Foods are safely cooked when they are heated to the USDA-FDA recommended safe minimum internal temperatures:
    • Beef, Pork, Veal, Lamb, Steaks, Roasts & Chops: 145 ºF with 3-minute rest time
    • Fish: 145 ºF
    • Beef, Pork, Veal, Lamb Ground: 160 ºF
    • Egg Dishes: 160 ºF
    • Turkey, Chicken & Duck Whole, Pieces & Ground: 165 ºF
  • Chill – Cold temperatures slow the growth of harmful bacteria. Keeping a constant refrigerator temperature of 40 °F or below is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk of foodborne illness. Use an appliance thermometer to be sure the refrigerator temperature is consistently 40 °F or below and the freezer temperature is 0 °F or below.

Summary

To avoid contracting a foodborne illness, people with diabetes must be vigilant when handling, preparing, and consuming foods.
Likewise, remember to manage your diabetes during the holidays and stay healthy while you celebrate.
 

USDA Pamphlet: Food Safety for People with Diabetes

A need-to-know guide for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Other Diabetes Resources

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *